The Chinese government has allocated a special fund of 700 million yuan to disaster-hit regions where grain shortages are forecast for this spring and summer, sources with the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in Beijing Monday.
By the end of March another 400 million yuan will also be provided for such regions, bringing the disaster relief fund of this kind to a total of 1.1 billion yuan, which is a 16 percent increase on last year.
A number of regions across the nation were hit by serious droughts in 2001, leading to many difficulties in people's lives and to food shortages.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has asked departments of civil affairs at various levels to use these funds properly to give the best possible help to people in disaster stricken regions.
(People's Daily March 12, 2002)
